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'This page has been approved by the United Grand Lodge of England’

RW DGM' s MESSAGE FOR April 2008

MASONIC SECRETS

To the popular World who are not Freemasons or even to those who seek to enter this Fraternity the first and sometimes only question is what are your Secrets ? Most of the uninitiated also ascribe various degrees of diabolical intent to Freemasonry. Let us refer to these as exoteric that is defined as common place or popular. The exercises of the Masonic mind is rather more concerned with the esoteric – of the private and mystical connections the mind makes with the mysteries of life.

Perhaps there is one aspect of a Freemason’s obligation which we are secretive about – the practice of benevolence, although we are now beginning to be more open about it. We generally do not publicize our charitable activities as others do, particularly when it involves individual beneficiaries so as not to cause them needless embarrassment and ourselves occasion for self-gratification. Charity is best practised without overt recognition for such acts and to avoid unseemly posturing on the part of the benefactor. Hence the necessary diffidence of the Freemason on this account.

That apart, I am of the view that there are really no secrets as defined by the common acceptance of this word, except that we have certain modes of recognition within the Brotherhood which enables us to receive one another into our confidences – confidences that are nothing more than a firm belief in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.

Moreover, the purposes and practices of Masonic ritual are really in the pursuit of the spiritual development of the individual, within the confines and precepts of each individual’s own religious belief and faith. We are even enjoined to honour our obligations to our respective Gods, to the country of one’s birth and nurture, or even to that land of our temporary residence, as well as to our family and fraternal comrades.

We do not, indeed we are forbidden from, permitting ourselves to be organized into political affiliations amongst our membership or to form or represent any pressure group or ‘lobby’. Our sole purpose as Freemasons, is to concern ourselves with Relief i.e. Charity and Truth, other than our duties within our Brotherhood – and of course our own development as good human beings.

The rituals that are associated with our fraternity are entirely connected with our progress through life, from birth, through education and spiritual development, to our final departure from this earthly form, into that paradise in which goodness and perfection reigns. Therefore there really are no secrets that threaten anyone and none that can cause any stir within even the most fertile imagination !